Photo-memories from Lodi’s 2025 Wine & Chocolate Weekend, proving to be more popular than ever!

ByRandy Caparoso
Three gentlemen fearlessly dressed for the occasion at m2 Winery during Lodi’s Wine & Chocolate Weekend.

The news, according to a local ABC correspondent, is that “Lodi’s Wine and Chocolate Weekend events went on as planned, highlighting the wines the region has to offer.”

This was plain as day throughout Saturday the 15th, as wine and chocolate lovers went from winery to winery to savor the local wares. It was quite the spectacle: From irresistibly cuddly 1-week old baby goats at Spenker Family Farm and laughing crowds taking selfies against a “Freakshow” backdrop at Michael David Winery, to gentlemen attired in bright red suits festooned with hearts at m2 Winery and rows of limousines at Berghold Vineyards, dropping off entire parties of celebrants, hopping out with hearts aflutter, anticipaing the taste of wines from barrels and bottles with, of course, lots and lots of chocolates.

Woman holding a puppy at a Valentine's Day themed event with hearts and decorations.
Cuddly 1-week old kid at G.O.A.T. kissing booth at Lodi’s Spenker Family Farm.

At the “Winemakers Toast” taking place the following Sunday at Wine & Roses Hotel, Lodi wine buffs enjoyed a more luxurious settling with a gourmet brunch. Said one Lodi producer, “It’s really good to see, especially people going for a lot of sparkling wines made here in Lodi.”

According to the ABC reporter:

At Wine & Roses more than 20 Lodi area wineries poured glasses and pitched sales at Sunday morning’s Winemakers Toast … “Shoot, if they were selling bottles here, I would take a bottle from every booth,” said Turlock resident Kam Dhesi who visited Lodi for the event. “I mean, there’s something I’ve found that I like at every place here.”

Group of women at a wine tasting event, holding glasses of wine, smiling, in a cozy indoor setting.
Four enthusiastic young wine lovers at Lodi Wine & Chocolate Weekend’s lavish “Winemakers Toast” at Wine & Roses Hotel.

Making mention of recent news about the American wine industry in general facing a “troubling [economic] downturn,” ABC interviewed one of the visitors who drove an hour to enjoy the delectables at Wine & Roses Hotel:

“I wouldn’t detect, based on this event, that there were any challenges in the winemaking community,” said Maricella Flores of Mountain House, who traveled to Lodi for the toast. “I didn’t know anything about that, so that’s actually interesting.”

In other words, for many wine lovers Lodi wines are better than ever—at least in terms of the only thing that counts, which is the pure pleasures that they give, stimulating both the mind and palate. That said, photo-memories of the past weekend…

Perlegos Family’s Jeff Perlegos pouring his Sparkling Assytiko (made from the native Greek grape) at Sunday’s Winemakers Toast.
Two women tasting wine at the Lodi Winegrape Commission event, surrounded by wine bottles and attendees.
Acquiesce winemaker/vineyard manager Christina Lopez (left) demonstrates how it’s done at the Sunday Winemakers Toast.
Group of women celebrating at Lodi Winegrape Commission event with balloons and decorations.
Photo op at the Freakshow display at the world renowned Michael David Winery.
Two women smiling and holding glasses of red wine at a Lodi Winegrape Commission event.
Wine and chocolate lovers during the Winemakers Toast brunch at the luxurious Wine & Roses Hotel.
Group of people enjoying wine tasting at Lodi Winegrape Commission event.
Perch winemaker/owner Adam Saake wowing wine lovers with his handcraft wines at Lodi Crush during the Saturday events.
Dessert platter with chocolate tarts and fresh berries at Lodi Winegrape Commission event.
Delectable chocolate treats served at every stop during the entire Lodi Wine & Chocolate Weekend.
Two smiling people at a celebration with pink, white, and gold balloons, holding wine glasses.
Homegrown Lodi wine lovers at Nostra Vita Family Winery.
Woman with glasses drinking red wine at Lodi Winegrape Commission event.
Wine enthusiast savoring every scent and sip of handcrafted Lodi grown wine at Lodi Crush.
Group of five people at a wine tasting event inside a church with stained glass windows.
At one of the two impressively massive tasting room bars at Lodi’s Berghold Vineyards.
People pouring wine at a tasting event with wine bottles and glasses on a table.
Bone dry yet effusively fruit driven Woo Girls! brand rosé being poured at the Winemakers Toast and Sunday brunch.
Woman tasting wine at Lodi Winegrape Commission event, holding a glass of white wine in a lively indoor setting.
Enjoying both the seriousness and joyfully fruit driven qualities of handcrafted Lodi grown wine during the Sunday brunch.
Group of people enjoying wine tasting outdoors at Lodi Winegrape Commission event.
One of several limos lined up at Lodi’s Berghold Vineyards winery all during the Saturday events.
People enjoying wine tasting outdoors at Lodi Winegrape Commission with wine barrel and greenery in background.
Tasting Lodi wines straight from the barrel at Berghold Vineyards during the Saturday festivities.
Group of people enjoying wine tasting at Lodi Winegrape Commission event.
Gang’s all here at Lodi’s Berghold Vineyards.
Three women enjoying wine at a bar, smiling and socializing, representing Lodi Winegrape Commission activities.
Widely followed wine influencers Samantha Capaldi (@samanthasommelier, Paige Comrie (@winewithpaige) and Kara Harms (@thewhimseysoul) taking a break at Lodi Crush during the Wine and Chocolate Weekend.
Two people standing outdoors with tall cypress trees and a fountain in the background.
Wine lovers taking their leisure on the plush grounds of Lodi’s Berghold Vineyards.
Longtime consumers contemplating Lodi wines during the lavish Sunday brunch at Wine & Roses Hotel.
Couples enjoying the perfect weather at m2 Winery during Saturday’s Wine & Chocolate event.
Smiling man and woman holding wine glasses at Lodi Winegrape Commission event.
Worldly, widely followed wine influencer Christy Nakada (@christyonthevine) with her partner Sean during the Sunday Winemakers Toast.
Group of four people celebrating at a table with balloons and flowers, promoting Lodi winegrapes.
Couples celebrating both a birthday and Lodi’s Wine & Chocolate Weekend at Berghold Vineyards.
People enjoying wine tasting at a Lodi Winegrape Commission event with live music and socializing.
Wine lovers enjoying both the vino and live music at Lodi Crush during the Saturday proceedings.
Group of four diverse people celebrating Valentine's Day with decorations and smiles at Lodi Winegrape Commission event.
It’s a family affair during Saturday’s Wine & Chocolate celebration at Michael David Winery.
Women enjoying wine tasting at Lodi Winegrape Commission event with balloons and wine bottles.
It’s all about the wines and friendship at Lodi’s Michael David Winery.
Two women smiling and holding wine glasses at a Lodi Winegrape Commission event.
Ladies’ day out at Nostra Vita Family Winery during Saturday’s Wine & Chocolate celebration.
Tourists taking photos at a vineyard with a classical fountain and tall cypress trees in Lodi, California.
Making memories at Lodi’s Berghold Vineyards.
Couple enjoying maraschino scented dry sparkler during Sunday’s Winemakers Toast at Wine & Roses Hotel.
Two women standing in front of a red barn at a Lodi wine event, smiling and enjoying the day.
Spenker Family Farm co-owners Bettyann and Sarah Spenker greeting guests at the barn during Lodi Wine & Chocolate Weekend.
People enjoying wine tasting at a Lodi Winegrape Commission event with bottles on display.
The Lucas Winery winemaker Eliza Hess personally pouring and talking about their prestigious handcraft wines during the Sunday brunch.
Group of people engaging in conversation at a wine tasting event, with wine glasses on a table.
Wine lovers talking story and wines during the Sunday Winemakers Toast at Wine & Roses Hotel.
Kareen Wine co-owner/winemaker Rose Nemet presenting her exquisitely artisanal, natural style wines at Lodi Crush.
A woman and man sharing a kiss at a Lodi Winegrape Commission event, holding a glass of wine, in a lively indoor setting.
Thoroughly enjoying the romance and love during Lodi’w Wine & Chocolate Weekend at Wine & Roses Hotel.
Ladies seizing the day with style during Saturday’s Wine & Chocolate events at m2 Winery.
Chef preparing cheese with wine in a professional kitchen setting for Lodi Winegrape Commission.
Wine & Roses Hotel chef cooking up an amazing “mac ‘n cheese” on the melting shell of an entire wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano.
Love is in the air at the m2 Winery vineyard estate during Lodi Wine & Chocolate Weekend.
Smiling woman with heart-shaped headband at Lodi Winegrape Commission event.
The convivial greeting at Nostra Vita Family Winery during Saturday’s Wine & Chocolate celebration.
Two women smiling at a wine event, holding glasses of white wine, with a lively background.
LangeTwins Family Winery’s extraordinary head winemaker Susana Vasquez (right) with local grocery store owner Claudia Ruelas enjoying the luxurious brunch and homegrown wines during Sunday’s Winemakers Toast.
Two people enjoying a social event, with wine glasses, in a cozy, stylish setting.
Taking a moment to enjoy Lodi wines and live music in the intimate setting of Lodi Crush during the Saturday festivities.
Friends sitting around a table outdoors, smiling, with drinks and food, in a backyard setting.
Celebrating Lodi’s Wine & Chocolate Weekend at Nostra Vita Family Winery.
Two women at a wine event holding glasses of wine and a plate of cheese, smiling at the camera.
Young wine lovers savoring the wide assortment of brunch nibbles during Sunday’s Winemakers Toast at Wine & Roses Hotel.
People enjoying wine tasting at Lodi Winegrape Commission event with wine bottles and glasses on display.
Widely followed wine influencers Paige Comrie and Kara Harms loving the wines of Lodi’s Woo Girls! during the Sunday celebration.
Two wine glasses with Lodi Wine logo, one with red wine, held by people at a tasting event.
It’s a wrap on another fun, adventurous Lodi Wine & Chocolate Weekend!

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